Method and apparatus for making artificial dentures



March 27, 1962 J. w. SQUILLACE ETAL 3,026,614

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING ARTIFICIAL DENTURES Filed Jan. 15 1958 FIG. 2 w

United States Patent Ofifice 3,Z6,6l4 Patented Mar. 27, 1962 3,026,614 METHQD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKTNG ARTEFHCIAL DENTURES Joseph W. Squillace, Ezio Alleva, and Mario A. Monticelli, all of 1530 Chestnut St., Suite 714-22, Philadelphia 2, Pa.

Filed Jan. 13, 1958, Ser. No. 708,591 Claims. (Cl. 3219) This invention relates to dental apparatus and more particularly to a method and apparatus for making artificial dentures.

The extent to which a patient is satisfied with his artificial dentures depends not only on the appearance of the dentures in the mouth, but also on the comfort with which they can be worn and used. The relative position of the upper and lower dentures to each other, as well as the fit of the dentures on the patients dental arches, determines their comfort during mastication. Unless the upper and lower dentures are aligned in centric relation, it is impossible to set up the teeth in centric occlusion, and the patient will experience discomfort when wearing them.

Prior to the construction of the dentures it is desirable to appraise their ultimate appearance in the patients month. More specifically, the problem involves the determination of the centric relationship of the patients jaws and other bite registrations at the time a preliminary appearance appraisal is made; and, further, the transfer of the determined relationships to a dental articulator. An articulator is a device which mechanically simulates the patients jaw movements for the laboratory technician with sufiicient accuracy to permit mounting of the individual teeth in such a way that the assembled dentures produce the correct centric occlusion after insertion into the patients mouth.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided novel apparatus and a simplified method for readily and accurately determining the registrations previously described, and which permits the preliminary testing of the appearance and comfort of the proposed dentures. It is to be understood, however, that such preliminary testing is accomplished with the dental apparatus described herein, and not, in the conventional manner, with provisionally mounted dentures. The invention also permits the determined positional relationship to be fixed and transferred to a dental articulator, from whence the patients dentures are constructed.

The various objects, features and advantages will appear more fully from the detailed description which follows, taken with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of the upper bite rim constructed and arranged according to the invention, and showing a reinforcing rod disposed interiorly of the rim;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the upper bite rim of FIG. 1. The phantom line indicates the approximate relative position of the natural gum line with respect to the upper surface of the upper bite rim. The reinforcing rod is omitted from this view for the purpose of clarity.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the upper bite rim of FIG. 1, but not showing the reinforcing rod for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the tooth-like occlusal surfaces;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the lower bite rim constructed and arranged according to the invention, showing the tooth-like occlusal surfaces and the lugs, but not showing the reinforcing rod included in FIG. 6;

FIG. 5 is a side View of the lower bite rim of FIG. 4, again omitting the reinforcing rod for the purpose of clarity, and including a phantom line to indicate the approximate position of the natural gum line relative the lower surface of the lower bite rim;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the lower bite rim constructed and arranged according to the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken longitudinally through the central portion of the upper and lower bite rims of this invention and the upper and lower base plates to which they are respectively attached. Inwardly facing surface portions of the bite rims and base plates are shown in elevation.

Referring now to the drawings, and especially to FIG. 7, for a detailed description of the invention, the dental apparatus for making artificial dentures includes upper and lower base plates, designated by reference numerals 1t) and 11, respectively. The base plates 10 and 11 are constructed to fit the patients dental arches in a manner well known in the dental art, and preferably of sheets of thermoplastic material, but can be made of other suitable material. Also included in the dental apparatus are means, to be used with the base plates 10 and 11, for determining and recording the bite registrations and other registrations of the patients mouth, which mean-s comprises upper and lower bite rims, 12 and 13, respectively. Preferably, the latter are made of a hard, rigid plastic material capable of resisting deformation at temperatures equal to or below the temperature of molten wax or such other heated matter as may be used to secure the rims 12. and 13 to their associated base plates 10 and 11. For temporarily attaching a bite rim to a base plate, pads 14 of yieldable, adhesive material such as soft wax are employed. The method of utilizing the dental apparatus will be described hereinafter, following a more detailed description of the bite rims 12 and 13.

Each of the bite rims 12 and 13, in the embodiment selected for illustrating the invention, comprises an arcuate series of twelve members which are shaped and positioned so they resemble the twelve forwardmost natural teeth. (See FIGS. 1 to 6.) Each tooth-like member is individually formed and fused to its neighbor so that the arcuate series extends from the left first molar at one end to the right first molar at the other end. However, the invention can be practiced by forming the bite rims 12 and 13 integrally. In order to use the dental apparatus for preliminarily appraising the appearance of the dentures, the bite rims are given the color and shade of natural teeth. To determine the bite registrations, however, the occlusal and incisal surfaces are given a natural shape, with mating pits and cusps, so that the bite rims i2 and 13 can interdigitate in the manner of natural teeth when they contact in the occlusal plane. Disposed interiorly of each bite rim, to provide reinforcement, is an arcuate metal wire or rod 16 which extends through all the members, thus improving the rigidity of the structure.

(Donnected to opposite, outwardly facing sides of the lower bite rim 13, and projecting outwardly therefrom, are projections or lugs 17 which provide means for conveniently gripping and manipulating the lower bite rim 13 with the fingers of one hand. This feature is especially helpful to the user when the lower base plate 11 is being attached to the lower bite rim 13 within the patients mouth, as will become apparent after the method of utilizing this apparatus is described. The lugs 17 are preferably constructed of rigid metal wire or rod and extend between the first molar region and the first bicuspid region of the lower bite rim 13, in close, spaced relationship with the outwardly facing sides thereof. Chromium alloy material is well suited for the lugs 17.

While the bite rims 12 and 13 have been described herein as being formed to resemble natural teeth, some slight departure from natural proportions is desirable to compensate for the vertical space, occupied by the wax pads 14, between a base plate and a bite rim. (See FIG. 7.) In FIGS. 2 and 5 a phantom line represents the natural gum line which substantially coincides with the attaching surfaces of the base plates and 11. The letter A designates the vertical distance occupied by the pads 14 between the attaching surfaces of each base plate and its associated bite rim. Accordingly, the distance designated by the letter A also indicates the extent to which the vertical dimensions of the bite rims 12 and 13 have been reduced from natural tooth proportions in order to position their occlusal surfaces in a natural occlusal plane relative the gum line. By this arrangement, the bite rims 12 and 13 have been reduced approximately twenty-five percent in height from natural tooth proportions, this reduction being made at the gingival or gum end.

In practicing this invention it is desirable to have several sets of bite rims in a variety of sizes so that a set can be selected which suits the size of the individual patients dental arches. After each use the bite rims can be prepared for re-use by washing and sterilizing them in a cool sterilizing liquid, such as a seventy percent alcohol solution.

The following steps are followed in making full artificial dentures with the above-described apparatus:

(a) Upper and lower base plates 10 and 11 are made to fit the patients dental arches in the conventional manner.

(b) The upper bite rim 12 is positioned on the upper base plate 10 and lightly attached thereto by means of three pads 14 of soft, pliable wax. The pads 14 are sandwiched between the parts being assembled and located in the regions where the central incisors and both first molars are normally found.

(c) The temporarily assembled upper bite rim 12 and upper base plate 10 are inserted into the patients mouth.

(d) The position of the upper bite rim 12 on the upper base tray 10 is adjusted until the upper bite rim 12 is in proper position with respect to the patients facial anatomy.

(e) The upper base plate 10 and upper bite rim 12 are removed from the patients mouth as a unit without disturbing their positional relationship.

(f) A hard wax, capable of resisting softening or deformation at body temperature, is melted and poured between the upper base plate 10 and the upper bite rim 12. The hard wax is then chilled in cool Water or air and the assembled parts are fixedly secured together.

(g) The securely assembled upper base plate 10 and upper bite rim 12 are reinserted into the patients mouth.

(It) Wax pads are lightly pressed in position on the lower base plate 11, the location of these pads 1 being in the regions where the central incisors and first molars are normally found. The lower bite rim 13 is not attached to the base plate 11 at this time.

(i) The lower base plate 11 with attached pads 14 is inserted into the patients mouth and the patients jaws are maintained in open position.

(i) The lower bite rim 13 is inserted into the patients mouth and held in position by means of the lugs 17 in such a way that the occlusal surfaces of the upper and lower bite rims 12 and 13 are firmly in contact with each other.

(k) While still holding the lower bite rim 13 in contact with the upper bite rim 12, the patient is instructed to close his jaws, thereby causing the lower bite rim 13 to become attached to the lower base plate 11 upon contacting the pads 14. This preliminary bite registration is tested by repeated opening and closing of the patients jaws, and the position of the lower bite rim 13 on the lower base plate 11 can be altered until a satisfactory registration and pleasing appearance is obtained.

(l) The lower base plate .11 and lower bite rim 13 are removed as a unit from the patients mouth without disturbing their positional relationship, and these parts are fixedly secured together by hard wax in the manner described in step (f), above.

(In) The securely assembled lower base plate 11 and lower bite rim 13 are reinserted into the patients mouth and a final check of the bite registrations and appearance is made. Since the dental apparatus of this invention simulates both the appearance and action of the proposed dentures, this step serves as a preliminary try-in prior to the actual construction of the dentures. If the final check of the apparatus proves satisfactory the apparatus is sent to the dental laboratory where the determined positional relationships are transferred to a dental articulator and the teeth are set up for a final try-in. If the final check with the dental apparatus does not prove satisfactory the lower bite rim can be repositioned until satisfactory bite registrations are obtained.

The bite rims 12 and 13 are removed from the base plates 10 and 11 after the positional relationships have been transferred to the articulator. As has been pointed out previously herein, the bite rims 12 and 13 can be reused after they have been washed and sterilized.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that this invention provides novel apparatus and a simplified method for readily and accurately determining bite registrations and also for appraising the appearance of the proposed dentures prior to their construction. The invention also permits the determined positional relationships to be transferred to a dental articulator.

While the invention has been shown in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. Upper and lower bite rims for use in making artificial dentures, each of said bite rims comprising toothshaped members connected one to the other in an arcuate series, said members of each rim being rigidly constructed and having occlusal surface portions which mate with the occlusal surface portions of the other rim when said rims are arranged with respect to each other in the manner of natural teeth, at least one of said bite rims having grip projections on the outwardly facing surface thereof.

2. Upper and lower bite rims for use in determining bite registrations in the making of artificial dentures, each of said bite rims including tooth-shaped members con nected together in an arcuate series, said members of each rim being rigidly constructed of moldable plastic material and having occlusal surfaces arranged to cooperatively engage the occlusal surfaces of the other rim when said rims are positioned relative each other for interdigitation in the manner of natural teeth, said lower bite rim having grip projections on the outwardly facing surface thereof.

3. Upper and lower bite rims in combination with upper and lower base plates and means removably attaching the upper and lower rims to the upper and lower base plates, respectively, for use in determining bite registrations in the making of full artificial dentures, said attaching means comprising pads of yieldable, adhesive material, each of said bite rims including tooth-shaped members connected together in an arcuate series, said members of each rim being rigidly constructed of moldable plastic material and having occlusal surfaces arranged to mate with the occlusal surfaces of the other rim when said rims are positioned with respect to each other for interdigitation in the manner of natural teeth, said lower bite rim having a plurality of outwardly projecting lugs connected thereto.

4. A dental apparatus for use in making dentures comprising upper and lower base plates fitted to the patients upper and lower dental arches, respectively; upper and lower bite rims; and pads of yieldable, adhesive material removably securing said upper and lower rims to said upper and lower plates, respectively; each of said upper and lower bite n'ms having occlusal and outwardly facing surfaces formed and positioned to resemble natural teeth; said occlusal surfaces having pits and cusps formed therein that mate with the opposing occlusal surface, the construction and arrangement being such that said occlusal surfaces are capable of interdigitation; said lower bite rim having a plurality of lugs connected thereto, said lugs projecting outwardly from the outwardly facing surfaces of said lower rim.

5. A dental apparatus for use in making dentures comprising upper and lower base plates fitted to the patients upper and lower dental arches, respectively; upper and lower bite rims; and pads of wax removably securing said upper and lower rims to said upper and lower plates, respectively; each of said upper and lower bite rims being constructed of plastic material and having a reinforcing rod disposed therein, each of said upper and lower bite rims having occlusal and outwardly facing surfaces formed and positioned to resemble natural teeth; said occlusal surfaces being adapted to interdigitate with each other in th: manner of natural teeth, said lower bite rim having a plurality of outwardly projecting lugs connected thereto.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,495,390 Hollingsworth May 27, 1924 2,027,373 Eden Jan. 14, 1936 2,171,759 Meyer Sept. 5, 1939 

